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A Message from the Pastor
This Sunday in worship we will look at the 6th and last of our six "measures" of faithfulness to our mission of embracing our neighbors with Christ-like love. Are we "obeying God" as we worship, serve, and grow together?
There are many scripture references to obedience, but I'll focus mainly on John 14 in my sermon this Sunday. That particular chapter in John is one that I often use to comfort families during a funeral or memorial service. "Let not your hearts be troubled..." are welcome words for a bereaved family or congregation.
But it is interesting that Jesus combines these words of comfort with a call to obedience. There is a connection, isn't there, between our willingness to yield ourselves to God's will and our ability to experience the peace that only God can provide.
I look forward to seeing you in worship this Sunday as we wrap up this worship series on the six "measures" of faithfulness at RRCC. Next week's newsletter will come out on Shrove/Fat Tuesday, on the threshold of beginning our Lenten journey for 2021. Time marches on! Peace in Christ, Pastor Mitch
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Even though we are unable to meet in person,
RRCC has three ways you can still give your tithe:
- Go to the RRCC website rrdisciples.org and click on the "GIVE HERE" button at the top of the main page. Or use the link at the top of each newsletter. It will take you to the same place.
- Use your bank's electronic bill pay feature to have a check mailed directly from your bank to RRCC.
- Mail your check directly to RRCC.
Address your envelope to:
Financial Secretary
Round Rock Christian Church
22 Chalice Way
Round Rock, TX 78665
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Paul Plough (September 22, 1924 - February 1, 2021)
Our dear friend and brother in Christ, Mr. Paul C. Plough, went home to be with Jesus on Monday, February 1st. Beck Funeral Home is handling the arrangements for the family.
The funeral service for Paul is set for this Friday, February 12th, at 3 p.m. at the Austin/Round Rock location on 620. Here is the link to the full obituary:
Let us hold Paul's family in our prayer--daughter Martha and sons Mark and Scott and their families.
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Keep an eye out!
The RRCC 2020 giving statements were put in the mail. Please let the office know ASAP if your address needs to be updated in our system.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Change
In an effort to streamline, simplify, and make COVID-19 vaccinations more efficient, Texas is transitioning away from having people go to their local PCP, clinic, or hospital to get their shot. Instead, vaccination "hubs" are being established across the state. Our closest hub is in Travis County. You must pre-register before scheduling your vaccination time. This pre-registration gets you into their system and helps them to put you into the correct "Phase" for vaccination priority. Here is the link:
Please note: This website has had some technical challenges due to heavy use. You may have better luck if you visit the website late night/early morning.
Another website you can use to be put on a vaccine wait list is here:
You may be wondering whether you are eligible now to receive your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Most of our congregation members are in fact eligible right now, based on age and/or chronic medical condition.
If you are a front-line healthcare worker or resident of a long-term care facility, you are eligible now to receive the vaccine, since December 14. This group is c onsidered Phase 1A.
If you are in Phase 1B, you are also eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine, depending on availability and the vaccine provider. Vaccine supply remains limited, but more vaccine will be delivered to providers each week. Phase 1B recipients include:
- People 65 years of age and older
- People 16 years of age and older with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19, such as but not limited to:
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies
- Solid organ transplantation
- Obesity and severe obesity (body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher)
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
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2021 Worship Leader Sign-Up
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 The 2021 Worship Leader Sign-Up is available to view! Click here to reserve your date to serve:
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RRCC Saturday Events
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Handcrafters
Saturday, February 13, 2021
9:30 a.m.
Disciples Men's Breakfast
Saturday, February 13, 2021
8:30 a.m.
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Book Groups Meet Thursday, February 11, 2021
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2020 Annual Permanent Fund Report to the RRCC Guiding Board Members
Operating Policy and Procedure 3.8 states: "The Purpose of the Permanent Fund is to 'expand the witness and mission of Jesus Christ and to serve the human needs in our community and around the world.' The Permanent Fund provides a means for special gifts and bequests to enable RRCC to expand its ministry in ways beyond what the general budget of the church would allow. The Permanent Fund is NOT intended to compete with, replace, or in any way diminish regular annual giving and responsible stewardship by present or future members." The Christian Church Foundation (CCF) is the custodian and beneficiary of the Fund and the interest earned is distributed by our Permanent Fund Team to the benefit of our RRCC ministries, as specified in OPP 3.8. If, for any reason, our church ever closes, the Fund goes on to benefit the mission of the larger church.
A relatively small permanent fund at RRCC was started in June, 2005, when it was determined to be a priority by church members, and little has been done to grow it over the years. However, in January 2020, a Permanent Fund Task Force was established for the purpose of promoting and growing the Permanent Fund. This Annual Report of the Permanent Fund is based on the recommendation of the Permanent Fund Task Force and the approved "Permanent Fund Operating Policy and Procedure 3.8".
Thanks to the generosity of church members and non-members, according to the records of the Christian Church Foundation, the fund balance grew from $6,633.80 to $9,814.77 in 2020. Also, an additional $800 was donated to the RRCC Permanent Fund in December of 2020 which was not deposited to the CCF prior to the deadline of the CCF quarterly statement, and will be included in the 2021 first quarterly statement. In all, RRCC received $1,400 in 12 separate Permanent Fund donations in 2020!
Special thanks to everyone who contributed! Please prayerfully consider your own ability to donate to the fund as you are able. The on-line giving screen is being updated to allow for the selection of the "Permanent Fund" option. Any gift is appreciated and will be applied to "expand the witness and mission of Jesus Christ"!!
The Permanent Fund Team
- The immediate past Senior Trustee (Tricia Mouser)
- The two current RRCC Trustees (Melba Claymon and Kent Toomey)
- The Financial Secretary (Irene Jenkins)
- The Treasurer (Gary Collier)
- The Senior Minister (Mitch Maxted) and Moderator (Dan Knight) as ex-officio members
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Round Rock Area Serving Center
Reaching Out: SERVING OTHERS
SERVING OTHERS is an important measure on the pathway of RRCC's mission: Embracing our neighbors with Christ-like love. Each week, members of Round Rock Christian Church donate food items for the Round Rock Area Serving Center. A number of our members also have volunteered at the Center, which provides many services to our community neighbors.
For the first ten weeks of the pandemic, the Serving Center distributed food by drive-through to 3,500 families of 13,100 individuals. Distribution has continued with curbside pickup. The need is great: caseloads increased by 244% for the 2nd quarter of 2020, and by 179% in the 3rd quarter. Since March 24, the Serving Center has spent $1.9 million for rent and utility assistance for COVID-19 impacted households.
This message to volunteers was recently posted:
"Dear Serving Center Volunteers:
Thank you! Thank you for your kindness, all your time you give to help with the food pantry and your generous hearts. Because of your assistance my family can eat well. We love coming every month to see you guys. The twins adore the stuffed animals you gave them for Christmas. We can't express our gratitude for the HEB gift card as well. Thank you for being there for us. We truly appreciate all of you."
Thank you, RRCC members, for doing your part to embrace our neighbors with Christ-like love by serving others.
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Upcoming Events
There will be no events/meetings held in the RRCC facility until further notice.
Some RRCC activities and events have been cancelled until further notice.
Most are continuing online via zoom.
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
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7:00 p.m.
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- Elders Meeting ( Unbinding Your Heart) Link HERE
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7:00 p.m.
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- Shalom Congregation (off site)
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Wednesday, February 10, 2021
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- Caring Hearts Prayer Group (via Zoom) Link HERE
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7:00 p.m.
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Thursday, February 11, 2021
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10:00 a.m.
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1:00 p.m.
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Friday, February 12, 2021
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3:00 p.m.
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- Funeral for Paul C. Plough at the Beck Funeral Home on 620
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Saturday, February 13, 2021
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8:00 a.m.
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- Shalom Congregation
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8:30 a.m.
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9:30 a.m.
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Sunday, February 14, 2020
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Happy
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Valentine's Day!
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9:45 a.m.
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- Explorers Sunday School (via Zoom) Link HERE | |
9:45 a.m.
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- Open Circle Sunday School (via Zoom) Link HERE | |
11:00 a.m.
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Evening
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- Manantial de Vida Congregation (off site)
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Monday, February 15, 2021
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
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7:00 p.m.
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- Shalom Congregation (off site)
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ZOOM MEETING LINKS, events and details can be viewed on the RRCC Calendar.
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RRCC Newsletter Deadlines
Please submit your
Tuesday Newsletter articles and pictures
before 10:00 a.m. on Mondays.
and your Friday Reminders articles and pictures
before 12:00 p.m. on Thursdays.
Thank you!
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CHANCEL CHOIR ZOOM FELLOWSHIP
Chancel Choir meets via ZOOM on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.:
Chancel Choir will not meet Ash Wednesday, February 17, 2021.
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Did You Miss a Newsletter?
Past newsletters dating back to mid-March 2020 are currently archived under the "ABOUT US" tab on the RRCC Website.
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Upcoming Birthdays
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February 13
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February 14
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Prayer Needs
LEADERSHIP
1. Our Guiding Board, Ministries Council, Elders, Deacons, Ministries and Teams
2. Our staff: Jimmy, Mitch, Katie, Randy, and Molly
3. Our music ministries and their leaders: Randy Preston, Rod Walker, and Jimmy Horowitz
4. Our tech team: Gary Collier, Tara Pollock, Katie Maybaum, Randy Preston, Rod Walker, and Dan Knight
5. Our Reopening Task Force--Perry Mouser (chair), Gary Tucker, Gary Collier, Mildred Adair, Amy Tucker, Pam Knight, Amy Osteen, Tricia Mouser, Pastor Maria Rosario of Manantial de Vida, Omar Roque, Juan Pena, and Carlos Cortez of Shalom, Pastor Mitch Maxted, and Linda Glover
6. Our Caring Hearts Prayer Group
7. Our Stephen Ministries (Care Receivers and Caregivers)
8. Our partnership with Shalom Seventh Day Adventist & Manantial de Vida congregations (and their pastors Edy Rosa Paez and Maria Rosario)
9. Reverends Christal Fisher (South Texas) and Andy Mangum (CCSW)
10. The current search for a Community Regional Minister for Reconciliation for the Christian Church in the Southwest
MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
1. For all who are grieving the loss of a loved one in recent weeks:
- Paul Plough's family -- daughter Martha and sons Mark and Scott and their families. Paul died Feb. 1st. The funeral is this Friday, February 12th at Beck Funeral Home on 620.
- Perry Mouser -- his aunt Elsie Poindexter died January 30th.
- Rod and Lisa Walker and family. Rod's mother, Billie, died last month in Oklahoma.
- Steve and Amy Osteen and family. Steve's aunt, Judy, died last month in Mississippi.
- Emmiline Greene and family. Emmiline's sister-in-law Matilda Dunn died last month in Maryland.
- The family of Marilyn Davis, who died last month. Her memorial service was Saturday, January 30th at the Ramsey Funeral Home in Georgetown.
- Erica Roberts and family. Erica's mother-in-law Sheila Roberts died last month of complications from COVID-19.
2. For all who have tested positive for COVID-19, and their families, including: Brenda Collier's mother Mary, Bob Jenkins' sister Kathy, Tricia and Perry's daughter Kendal and family, Martha Nichols' daughter Tamara, and Martha's niece Glenda and her husband Eric, Susan Putnam's cousin Connie Walker, and Bea Whitley's brother Darrel Hansen.
3. Acree, Mary -- recent infection
4. Cratin, Katherine -- niece Amber W. tested positive for COVID-19
5. Guilbeau, Rick & Cynthia. Cynthia's father, Harold Hubbard, is receiving hospice care
6. Habtemariam, Solomon and Meaza
7. Mouser, Tricia -- rheumatoid arthritis infusion treatments and side-effects
8. Sherry, Bea
9. Terry Tucker, brother of Gary Tucker -- home from the hospital after second surgery
10. Walker, Lisa -- home from the hospital; will receive dialysis treatments 3x per week
11. Wilson, Garvid -- chemo/immunotherapy treatments every 21 days; prayers for strength and manageable side effects
12. York, Tasha -- mother Peggy Massey is recovering from a fall and from a surgery to stop internal bleeding
OTHER
1. All who don't know Jesus
2. COVID-19 (the ill, their families, medical professionals, essential workers, treatment and vaccine researchers, the logistics of distributing and administering the vaccine safely and efficiently)
3. Those who have lost jobs during the pandemic; businesses that are struggling
4. All people who are persecuted for their faith throughout the world 5. Our military personnel and families 6. International cooperation in responding to climate change challenges 7. Development of an immigration policy for the U.S. that is fair, just, and responsible 8. For all efforts toward affordable health care for all Americans 9. U.S. lawmakers and community leaders to work together to solve the problem of mass shootings in schools, places of work, etc. 10. All teachers, administrators, students, and parents. Our neighborhood schools: Union Hill Elementary School and Hopewell Middle School.
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[There will be no Sunday School classes in the church building for the foreseeable future.
Some classes will be meeting via Zoom
during this time of social distancing.]
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Early Childhood Class (ages 4-7) -Taught by Lisa Walker
Intermediate Class (3rd - 5th grade) - Taught by Jennifer Kienzle
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Chi Rho Class - (6th - 8th grade) - (studying the book, "Middle School TalkSheets" for ages 11-14. "These TalkSheets present every aspect of Jesus' life in a way that young teens can connect with as they learn to apply the lessons to their own lives.")
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CYF Class (9th - 12th grade)
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Open Circle (primarily adult women) - 9:45 a.m. Sunday mornings via ZOOM, Studying Gospel Medicine. ALL ARE WELCOME! Link HERE
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Explorers (mixed adults) - 9:45 a.m. Sunday mornings via ZOOM, Facilitator is Mildred Adair; studying the New Testament Book of Acts, using the resource by John MacArthur. Link HERE
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Follow us on Social Media!
We can be found on:
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Submitting a photo? Awesome!
We love pictures of congregational life!
Please remember to include
identification (who, what, when, where, why)
for each photograph submitted to the office.
Also, please indicate where you would like the photo to be used (RRCC website, social media, weekly newsletter, etc.)
.
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Mondays:
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9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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Tuesdays:
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2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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Wednesdays:
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9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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Thursdays:
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9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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Fridays:
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9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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Elder's Prayer Corner/Closing Message
From A Life That Matters by Woodhouse
Begin and End Your Day with Prayer
A life that matters is a life filled with Prayer. Prayer is how we communicate with our Father through Jesus Christ. And those lines of communication need to continuously stay open.
If you are not in the habit of Praying, a good way to begin is to start and end the day with Prayer. I like to use the ATCS system: Start with Adoration, giving God the glory for all He's done in your life. Next is Confession. Confess your sins and give over all the guilt and doubt that accompanies them. Offer up Thanksgiving. Praise and thank God for all He has given you on a daily basis. Finally, Supplication. Even though God already knows what's in our hearts and on our minds, He wants His children to openly communication with Him.
As you embrace the habit of praying every day, you will spend more and more time at the throne of grace adoring, confessing, thanking, and requesting.
A quote from Billy Graham "In the morning, prayer is the key that opens to us the treasures of God's mercies and blessings. In the evening, it is the key that shuts us up under His protection and safeguard."
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for this day. Guide us in all that we do. Help us to walk in the paths of righteousness, always giving our praise to You. In Jesus name, Amen!
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